“Eco-friendly, or ecological, construction is building a structure that is beneficial or non-harmful to the environment, and resource efficient. Otherwise known as green building, this type of construction is efficient in its use of local and renewable materials, and in the energy required to build it, and the energy generated while being within it.

Eco-friendly construction has developed in response to the knowledge that buildings have an often negative impact upon our environment and our natural resources. This includes transporting materials hundreds or thousands of miles, which has a negative impact in the energy required to transport them, and also in emissions of hazardous chemicals from a poorly designed building that creates, and traps them.

The Range of Ecologically Built Structures
Many options are now available to those wishing to design and build an eco-friendly dwelling. Architects, engineers and builders worldwide are now using construction techniques that have been developed throughout human history, in response to local environmental concerns and the physical resource opportunities available, coupled with 21st century technological refinements.

These range from rammed earth construction, which involves clay-based material mixed with water and then rammed into brick or solid wall form, suitable in hot and dry climates, to straw bale houses, literally using bales of straw as the core structure.Straw is a great insulator, is a breathable material that filters the air passing through it, and contrary to expectation, is fire-resistant when compressed. And it is low cost.See our page www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/strawbale for instructions on how to build.

Other options are so-called earth ships, which use recycled car tyres filled with earth as the buildings walls, or Yurts or Gers, the semi-permanent nomadic tents of Inner Asia, that utilise local wood, wool and canvas, to literally live on, with the land.These examples can be seen as development that has a low impact upon the environment, which utilise and blend in with the local environment, and could be dismantled and moved easily.

Features of Ecological Building and Some Techniques
In more conventional building construction, it is how technology and building materials merge and create ecological resources that are the key to green success, as well as using simple and readily available materials.
For example, using pulped recycled paper for roof insulation is a simple but highly effective ecological resource. The damage to human health from asbestos insulation, laid out in rolls in thousands of UK homes, is now well known. Asbestos also takes hundreds of years to decompose in landfill.

Other features of an ecological building might include :

The varied use of solar panels for domestic hot water heating,Water conservation, possibly including biological waste water treatment and re-use, and the simple collection and recycling of rainwater for garden use,Low energy lightbulbs, which can last up to 100 times longer than regular bulbs,Cellulose insulation (like the paper in the above example),Non-toxic or lead-free paints and wood preservatives,Locally-grown and harvested timber from sustainably managed forests.

Where to Find Examples of Ecological Building
Local Councils and Housing Associations in the UK are now exploring the benefits of ecological construction, and estates constructed on these principles have been built in Edinburgh, in the Cambridgeshire village of March, and several in London.

An interesting project in the capital is BedZED, in the borough of Sutton, which utilises solar heating and heat given off by the occupants, combined with a small power plant using wood off-cuts, to heat and power each house, and achieves zero carbon emissions.The estate was planned to be built with materials that were sourced from within 35 miles. This development consists of 82 housing units, owned and managed by the Peabody Trust. It is a great example of a sustainable development building estate, combined with the principles of social housing.

To provide inspiration to those of us who want to build ecologically, many UK regions have a demonstration eco-house as a feature within a local Centre for Sustainability, such as The Centre for Alternative Technology, near Machynlleth, Wales, the Create Centre in Bristol, and at the Findhorn Foundation, near Forres, Scotland. These are all set up as educational centres with ecological and sustainable development at their core, which offer eco-construction courses and advice.

Other European Countries, particularly Germany, are making eco-construction a national priority, as part of a Governmental response to sustainable development. Currently, there is no Internationally-agreed target for reducing carbon emissions, but several Governments and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) are recognising that the built environment plays a huge role in this.

There are now many examples of eco-building around – from simple designs to elaborate constructions. They can be a challenge to conceive and create, but by doing so, we benefit from being in them, and the Environment appreciates it too!”

Amanda and Gillian

Dear Kobus
We would like to express our immense gratitude to yourself and your team for the professionalism with which our paving contract
was competed. Despite the weather the contract was completed speedily and can only be described by one word – Excellent!
Thank you very, very much.

Amanda and Gillian

Keith De Minck

Its been a pleasure working with Gary and his team. We’ve built a strong relationship over the past two years and there are greater things waiting for us on this journey. Your team has been kind,helpful and always delivered satisfying service. Thank you Jenkor team

Tinashe

What a great job .

Paul Hanseb

TOP SERVICE .And best prices

Masten Raath

Hi Kobus & office staff.

Many thanks for your prompt response to my RFQ, your quotation and advice.

Dan Tu Toit

Hi Tayla,
Thanks for the opportunity to comment. I have only had good service from both the staff at the office and the crew doing deliveries. Although price is always an important factor, I believe one should look at the whole picture.
Friendly staff when placing order and prompt mailing of invoices.

Thanks,
Dan

Tinashe

What a great job .

Richard De Wet

Thanks personally for your outstanding service and Jenkor as a whole for making my life a lot more stress free with your thorough assistance.
As I’m not a builder this has been most appreciated.

Renaldo Cosentino

Hi Tayla thank you for your great service. Much appreciated.
Regards Renaldo

Richard de Wet

The staff at Jenkor are outstanding.
Never too busy to listen and help even with suggestions.
Effecient speedy service that makes you feel you are not just a number but a valued customer no matter how big or small your order.
Also delivery is super fast
Well done and thank you..

Chris Loans

Jenkor have provided reliable service for many years. Highly recommended.

N.franken

Very good work

Angie Hart

Thank you Gary and Candice for always giving me and my little school the best service. My garden is a fun space because of you. Thank you so very much.

Thomas Fickl

Your team has always been helpful and tried to assist wherever possible.
Thanks very much for a great support

Table View Angels

Dear Gary,
We are writing to express our deepest thanks for your recent donation to Table View Angels. Generous gifts from donors like you provide the financial and moral support needed to continue our mission to help desperate families.
With your contribution, you’ve demonstrated your deep commitment to our work of feeding the hungry, clothing the desperate and helping that single mom clothe her babies and have the courage to find suitable employment and become self-sufficient.
We look forward to a continuing partnership with you.